A Fairytale...

Chapter 17: the search continues

The Royal Guard headquarters was unusually quiet that night. The usual bustle of activity had died down, and the only sounds were the soft murmurs of the guards on patrol and the occasional rustle of paper as Sabrina, Kristin, and Marieke continued their work in the research chamber. The recent encounter with the shadow had left them all on edge, and they knew they had to move quickly if they were going to stay ahead of whatever was coming.

Sabrina had spent the last few hours buried in the archives, searching for anything that could shed light on the shadow they had seen. She had gone through countless texts and scrolls, but so far, nothing seemed to match the entity they had encountered. Frustration gnawed at her, but she pushed it aside, determined to find answers.

Kristin and Marieke, meanwhile, were reviewing reports from their scouts, looking for any patterns or clues that might indicate where the shadow would strike next. The air was thick with tension, and it was clear that the encounter had shaken them all more than they wanted to admit.

Suddenly, the quiet was broken by a soft knock on the door. Kristin looked up, her hand instinctively reaching for her weapon. "Enter," she called, her voice steady despite the unease she felt.

The door creaked open, and a young guard stepped into the room, looking nervous. "Commander Kristin, there’s someone here to see you. She says she has information about the shadow."

Kristin exchanged a glance with Marieke and Sabrina. "Bring her in," she ordered, her curiosity piqued.

A few moments later, the guard returned, this time accompanied by a figure cloaked in a dark, flowing robe. The figure kept her hood up, obscuring her face, but there was something about her presence that immediately put Kristin on edge.

The cloaked woman stepped forward, her movements graceful and deliberate. "Commander Kristin," she said, her voice low and melodic. "I’ve come to offer you guidance."

Kristin studied the woman carefully. "Who are you? And how do you know about the shadow?"

The woman lowered her hood, revealing a face that was both beautiful and unsettling. Her eyes were a deep, unnatural shade of violet, and they seemed to pierce through the darkness with an intensity that made Kristin uneasy.

"My name is Cassandra," the woman replied, her gaze locking onto Kristin’s. "I am a seer—a guardian of knowledge that has been hidden from the world for centuries. I have been watching the events unfold, and I believe I can help you understand the danger you face."

Kristin remained cautious. "Why should we trust you? How do we know you’re not working with the shadow?"

Cassandra smiled, a faint, mysterious curve of her lips. "I understand your skepticism, but I assure you, I am not your enemy. The shadow you encountered is dangerous, but it has its weaknesses."

At this, Sabrina and Marieke leaned in closer, their interest piqued. "What weaknesses?" Marieke asked, her voice full of curiosity.

Cassandra stepped closer, her voice softening as she shared what she knew. "The shadow you saw is drawn to powerful sources of magic, especially those tied to the ancient crystals. But it’s not invincible. It is vulnerable to light magic, particularly when it is focused and channeled directly at its core. The problem is finding the core. The shadow can shift and change, making it difficult to target. However, when it strikes, it often exposes itself for a brief moment—an opening you can exploit."

Kristin’s eyes narrowed as she considered this information. "So, we need to be ready to strike when it makes its move. But how do we lure it out?"

Cassandra nodded. "That is the challenge. The shadow is cunning, but it is also greedy. It craves power and will take risks to obtain it. If you can present it with something it desires—a powerful artifact or a source of magic—it may reveal itself."

Sabrina frowned in thought. "We could use one of the crystals as bait, but that would be incredibly dangerous."

Cassandra’s expression grew serious. "Yes, it would be. But if you’re careful, you might be able to set a trap that could weaken it, or at least force it to retreat."

Kristin exchanged a glance with Marieke and Sabrina. "It’s a risk we might have to take. If this shadow is as dangerous as you say, we need to stop it before it can do more harm."

Cassandra took a step back, her violet eyes gleaming with an unreadable emotion. "I’ve told you what I know. The rest is up to you. But remember, the shadow is not your only enemy. There are forces at play here that are far older and more dangerous than you realize. Be careful who you trust."

With those final words, Cassandra turned and left the room, disappearing into the shadows as silently as she had appeared. Kristin, Marieke, and Sabrina were left to contemplate the implications of what they had just learned.

As the night wore on, the three of them continued their work, more determined than ever to uncover the truth and prepare for the next encounter with the shadow. But as they delved deeper into their plans, they couldn’t shake the feeling that the real battle had only just begun.

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